EDITOR’S PICKS: 11 things to do this weekend in Liverpool

It’s official we can now start saying to people “have a good one” or “all the best” – Christmas has landed, and the city seems like it is buzzing for it more than ever.

You are also now officially allowed to give into temptation a bit more, forget about the diet and stop worrying about the consequences. How many times have you said “Ah sod it, it’s Christmas” over the past few days? (To be fair I’ve been saying it since March.)

When I say Liverpool is buzzing, I mean it. 2017 is surely the most Christmassy we have seen the city? Just take a look below at our highlights so far and I think you’ll agree.

It’s Jay here with some ideas on what you could get up to this weekend, whether your’e out in town, out stuffing your face, out with the kids, or sat at home hungover, there will be something for you.

To Eat…

‘Mary, Joseph and Baby Cheeses’ Crazy Pedro’s

There are still ten days to go, and already I must have eaten around 10 different Christmas dinners. Now let’s be honest none are ever as good as you Mum’s, but Liverpool’s food scene is really trying to do as many different variations on our beloved roast dinner as possible this year. From the now famous Christmas dinner wraps at our Christmas Markets, to the Christmas dinner hanging kebab at The Clubhouse, but have you ever tasted a Christmas Dinner Pizza?

If not get yourself to Liverpool’s newest and craziest pizza parlour on Parr Street, Crazy Pedro’s where the music is loud, the margaritas are frozen, the beers are simply wonderful and the pizza toppings are as literally, crazy. The ‘Mary, Joseph and Baby Cheeses’ is on the menu for Christmas and is topped with pigs in blankets, turkey, sage & parsnip stuffing, cranberry sauce and honey roast parsnips. Pedro, you legend! Info this way.

To Drink…

3 of the best Liverpool Christmas Cocktails

The Christmas cocktail menus are out in force and Liverpool’s mixologists are doing well in creating Christmas in a glass around the city. Titanic Hotelhas lots including the ‘Christmas Negroni’ with Chairman’s Spiced Rum. Santa Chupitoshave the ‘Fairytale of New York’ to warm you up with Jack Daniel’s, Orange, Peach, Lemon, Apple Juice, Red Wine and Whites. Red Door Liverpool is serving up the ‘Night Before Christmas’ with Bullet Bourbon, Christmas Syrup, Orange Bitters & Vellas Cabernet Sauvignon. Why not, it’s Christmas!

For a Pint…

The Tank Room

I got to check out the newest venue at Cains Brewery Village last weekend. The Tank Roomis situated just behind Dockleaf and creates a fun but intimate vibe in an actual former tank room. The team have regenerated the old air conditioning room which used to store big tanks of beer hence the name Tank Room. The beer quality is superb with the tank beer arriving fresh from a brewery in Chezch Republic. It only comes into contact with Oxygen when it is poured out of the pump into a chilled stein. Delicious! Live music of a weekend, hot toddies for Christmas, and a drinks menu to suit everyone, the Tank Room could well be my new favourite gaff, and I’ll def be back.

To Shop…

First off for the lads – have you been to Union 22, based at Union House on Victoria Street yet? It offers a collection of exclusive brands to Liverpool and the United Kingdom, probably one of the best menswear shopping services in the city and the good thing is, it is completely independent. This Christmas though, it’s not just designer brands you’ll find inside Union House, but you’ll see Santa too as a stunning Christmas scene has been installed by UK Events, complete with a snow fall every 30 minutes and even a message from Ant & Dec. More info here and in the video above.

For the girls – I won’t lie I’m useless when it comes to fashion, especially girls fashion, so I will pass the buck a bit here. We have been filming lots with our mates atLiverpool ONE lately and last week we put together a handy little Christmas Style Guide from various locations within L1.. Watch the guide above and check out more tips for your Christmas party outfit here.

To Watch…

How many Christmas films have you done already? I’m about five in, but planning a full on binge this weekend. If you don’t fancy just shoving Netflix on then why not head out? Crimbo movies have taken over our city in a big way this year, we even have a Home Alone bar. Many places selling out fast, and great to see smaller cinemas like Woolton Picture Housecompletely sold out for Christmas. On Monday you can catch ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’ at the Jacaranda, and throughout the week St George’s Hall’s Concert Roomis showing a host of festive films too. I’ve managed to grab a ticket to see ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at the Philharmonic Hall on Christmas Eve and some tickets are still available for the 11am showing. We put our Top 15 Christmas Films article out this week – let me know if we have missed any?

For a Christmas Shopping pit-stop…

Festive Afternoon Tea, Hilton Liverpool

Maybe this is one for your Mum or the other half? Hilton Liverpool have got your Christmas shopping day-out boxed off with a very festive afternoon tea. It is surely one of the most stylish and swanky hotels in our city, situated in the heart of town in Liverpool ONE, just over the road from the Albert Dock. For £25.99 for 2 people you get a selection of festive sandwiches and cakes, freshly baked scones, clotted cream and jam. Served with freshly brewed tea and coffee. And best of all it’s accompanied by a glass of Prosecco. It runs until New Years Eve. Book yours here.

To Dine in style…

Marco Pierre White’s, Hotel Indigo

If you fancy a 2 or 3 course Christmas lunch or dinner with ALL of the trimmings, set in stunning surroundings, then look no further than Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill at Hotel Indigo. I went for a taster last week and was massively impressed not only with the service, but also the quality of the food. From the festive menu you can choose from an array of starters including Marco’s game pie, mushroom tartlet with poached hens’ eggs or traditional cocktail of Atlantic prawns. For mains opt for the traditional turkey roast with all the trimmings, yes please, or keep it classic with Marco’s famous steak and frites. Of course it is topped off with your choice of Crimbo desserts too. Book your table here.

To Experience…

Snö Garden, Camp and Furnace

Camp and Furnaceis about to make all of your Christmas dreams come true with Snö Garden, a full on indoor winter festival experience that will provide Christmas fun for all of the family, running Monday 18th until Saturday 23rd December. Snö Garden will bring free Christmas movies everyday at 4.30pm including Home Alone & Elf, lots of classic festive treats from food vendors, Xmas-oke, where you can sing-a-long to your fave Crimbo classics, a Christmas silent disco, indoor snow, Christmas cocktails, naughty or nice hot chocolate & best of all, when the kids have gone home, Bad Santa will arrive – and it really could be the baddest Santa we have ever seen, as our very own Pete Price takes on the role for Christmas. Full film schedule for the kids and more info here.

For the kids…

Santa Land, Calderstones Park

So much happening for the little ones this Christmas, of course we have the biggest Liverpool Ice Festival to date on the Pier Head, Grottos at our Town Hall, Cunard Building and in St Johns Shopping Centre, Christmas films at St George’s Hall & Camp and Furnace, the Lego train and lots of other attractions at Liverpool ONE and tonnes more too. But if you want to get out of the city and into the leafy suburbs then head to Santa Land in Calderstones Park. Open daily until Christmas Eve there is loads of fun for under 12’s to be had including Santa’s Grotto, Storytime with Mrs Claus, a 6D Sleigh Ride, Runaway Train and lots of festive food and drinks on offer too (including mulled wine and hot choc with Baileys for the big kids.) Only a tenner for a three hour session too! Info here.

To See…

Scouse Nativity, Royal Court Liverpool

We are in panto lockdown across the majority of our theatres at the moment with Peter Pan starring Dane Bowers & Claire Simmo going down a storm at the Epstein. Lucy-Jo Hudson & Man in the Mirror, Johnny Vegas are smashing it in St Helens with Snow White & Aladdin is about to open at our Echo Arena starring Leanne Campbell and Dean Sullivan (Jimmy Corkhill.)

However if you fancy something different then the Scouse Nativity at the Royal Court is for you. I went last week and was lucky to make it to the loo I laughed that much. It is now on course to becoming the most successful show in the Royal Court’s history and you will see why if you get to see it before it closes on 13th January. Rammed full of Liverpool puns and humour, great music to get your Christmas party started and a stellar cast who all individually shine like the Northern star they are following. More info here.

Boxing Night Goals…

Stardust Liverpool, Shankly Rooftop

I remember Boxing Night in Liverpool was the big one, the new Ben Sherman shirt your Nan had bought you for Christmas, a spray of the new Cool Waters aftershave off your Mum, a few bottles of WKD and you were off into town for the busiest night of the year. The past few years though it seems that the Liverpool Boxing Night tradition has died off a bit in many of the big bars. However Stardust Liverpool are about to change all of that for 2017.

Tickets selling fast for what could be the best night in town this Christmas, Stardust is bringing some disco-house legends to the city for a one night only party on the rooftop of The Shankly Hotel. Lineup includes Joey Negro, Danny Krivit, Thomas Tuft, Full Intention and more who will be providing the tunes, all you have to do is don your best frock or shirt (maybe not the Ben Sherman) and dance your Boxing Night socks off. I had a chat with my old Radio City mate Pez Tellet to find out more. Ticket bookings and more info here.

With so much going on it really is the season to be jolly. This weekend we have our Guide Liverpool Christmas night out, so if you see me in town on Friday I’ll apologise now! I’m also off to check out the new Marco Pierre White restaurant Wheeler’s of St. James’s and on Tuesday I’m heading to the Home Alone Bar in Cains Brewery Village. I’ll keep you posted how I go on my Twitter @JayHynd.

Whatever your plans this weekend, make it a good one and enjoy our beautiful city at the best time of year. Get us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more.